Worldwide Cost Estimate for Alzheimer's and Dementia Is US$315...( - Study results suggest the true pre...),Health

- Study results suggest the true prevalence of dementia may be much higher than previously estimated, particularly in the world's least developed regions -

LONDON and SINGAPORE, March 24 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Key plenary presentations at 24th Conference of Alzheimer's Disease International (ADI) address the global economic, social and personal impact of Alzheimer's and dementia, as well as new ways being developed to treat and prevent the devastating brain disorder.

Scientists at the conference report a worldwide societal cost estimate for dementia of US$315.4 billion, based on a worldwide prevalence estimate of 29.4 million people with dementia. Results from another study suggest that the true prevalence of dementia may be much higher than previously estimated, particularly in the world's least developed regions.

The 24th Conference of Alzheimer's Disease International is being held March 25-28, 2009, at the Suntec Singapore International Convention & Exhibition Centre, Suntec City, Singapore. Conference information, including program, registration, travel and accommodations, can be found at http://www.adi2009.org/

Economic Impact of Dementia

"Economic Impact of Dementia" will be presented by Anders Wimo, MD, PhD, of the KI Alzheimer Disease Research Center, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden in a plenary presentation to be held Tuesday morning, March 26.

Due to the "greying of the world" and the increasing number of persons suffering from Alzheimer's and dementia, the costs of care and nursing of persons with dementia have an enormous economic impact on the healthcare and social services systems in advanced economies as well as in developing countries.

According to research conducted by Wimo and colleagues, the total worldwide societal cost of dementia i
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